REVIEW: P3 Vent Integrated Digital Interface

[///M1]

Great product and great review! Placed my order yesterday, can't wait for the gauge to arrive.

BTW, if you guys don't have it, def invest $20 and get the Bavarian Auto Plastic Trim Removal Kit. I have used it so often now and is the best tool kit when it comes to removing stock trim/dashboard pieces!

http://www.bavauto.com/lview.asp?img.../st_9007-a.jpg

[jtsherri]

Originally Posted by TPLSM3

Jason,
Awesome reviews as always! I thought as well how expensive this boost gauge seems, but looks like its worth every penny! Definitely the next mod to my 1er. Now this one is going to be a bit harder to hide from the wifey. lol Great job on the review as always, and great job Rick on an awesome boost gauge!

Thanks, Ben! It's definitely worth the $$ and am sure you won't have any regrets... Regarding the wife, see my comments above regarding one's pimp hand!

Originally Posted by WishBone33

Just curious how do you switch between maps?

I haven't run the wire(s) for map switching, yet, as I'm likely going to be switching tunes very soon. In fact, I'm technically not even running a tune right now because I didn't want to destroy my winter tires (my JB3 is set to stock boost).

I'll let Rick chime in on this one... I'm sure it's really simple though.

Originally Posted by ///M1

Great product and great review! Placed my order yesterday, can't wait for the gauge to arrive.

BTW, if you guys don't have it, def invest $20 and get the Bavarian Auto Plastic Trim Removal Kit. I have used it so often now and is the best tool kit when it comes to removing stock trim/dashboard pieces!

http://www.bavauto.com/lview.asp?img.../st_9007-a.jpg

Awesome! And thanks for the heads-up on the trim removal set. I have a metal one for panels, but this would be nice to avoid putting any marks in the smaller pieces.

[RiXst3r]

Originally Posted by jtsherri

I haven't run the wire(s) for map switching, yet, as I'm likely going to be switching tunes very soon. In fact, I'm technically not even running a tune right now because I didn't want to destroy my winter tires (my JB3 is set to stock boost).

You can see the boost control on screen in this video... hold peak recall to activate, the tap to switch, then it will select and exit after 3 seconds. EASY!

[Bullitt]

^ Nice vid.

Saw boost without the RPMs increasing... How did you do that?

[RiXst3r]

Originally Posted by Bullitt

^ Nice vid.

Saw boost without the RPMs increasing... How did you do that?

Those tiny snails spool quick!
the rpm does increase... we just didn't punch it for very long!

we were going like 50mph in 4th i believe ... they were just short bursts, and its only stock power, in a high gear

[Bullitt]

ah, I guess I didn't really pay attention... I'm so used to seeing that needle move very quickly..

[jtsherri]

Originally Posted by RiXst3r

You can see the boost control on screen in this video... hold peak recall to activate, the tap to switch, then it will select and exit after 3 seconds. EASY!

Like I said:

Originally Posted by jtsherri

I'm sure it's really simple though.

And I love the burnout at the end of the video... Looks and sounds awesome!

[RiXst3r]

Originally Posted by jtsherri

And I love the burnout at the end of the video... Looks and sounds awesome!

My car was 2 weeks old... lol

Clutch dump... hard break-in!

Other than that on short burnout she has been babied...

[jtsherri]

Originally Posted by RiXst3r

My car was 2 weeks old... lol

Clutch dump... hard break-in!

Ha - awesome! Like they say: 2 lights or 2 miles!

[WishBone33]

so........ is there like a number that comes up? Like if you want map 3 you just tap it until a 3 shows up.... or do you have to remember it. Like if i want it on map 3 and then maybe later on you want it on map 1........ you have to remember it was set on map 3 so you have to tap it back to map 1?

Am i making sense? Ok..... basically what I want to know is, is there any visual as to which map your currently on?

[ridin135]

Well after a year waiting for this to come out I got my gauge in. I put my gauge in last night and I have to say this thing really does look like it belongs in there. Install was very easy to and took about the time that they estimated 30-50 min. I highly recommend this to anyone with a 1 series or any one with a 3 series since they also have a gauage for that.

[RiXst3r]

Originally Posted by WishBone33

so........ is there like a number that comes up? Like if you want map 3 you just tap it until a 3 shows up.... or do you have to remember it. Like if i want it on map 3 and then maybe later on you want it on map 1........ you have to remember it was set on map 3 so you have to tap it back to map 1?

Am i making sense? Ok..... basically what I want to know is, is there any visual as to which map your currently on?

Terry is always changing the maps on the jb3, so we do it like this...

There are 4 *slots* on the gauge for the maps, they stay put except bc.2, which is set by the gas pedal...

You can switch between these is REAL-TIME... even while driving!

bc.1 is always stock
bc.2 is whatever you select with the gas pedal switcher on jb3 (most people set this to map5)
bc.3 is always map 3
bc.4 is always map 7

Thats it! So basically put it on bc.2 and set that with the pedal to whatever you want, and then you have 4 realtime switches with on screen verification!

-Rick

[jtsherri]

Originally Posted by RiXst3r

Terry is always changing the maps on the jb3, so we do it like this...

There are 4 *slots* on the gauge for the maps, they stay put except bc.2, which is set by the gas pedal...

You can switch between these is REAL-TIME... even while driving!

bc.1 is always stock
bc.2 is whatever you select with the gas pedal switcher on jb3 (most people set this to map5)
bc.3 is always map 3
bc.4 is always map 7

Thats it! So basically put it on bc.2 and set that with the pedal to whatever you want, and then you have 4 realtime switches with on screen verification!

-Rick

I dig that. Very logical and convenient way to do it. I'm generally running Map 7, but would definitely keep Map 5 cued up on bc.2 for when the weather gets colder and the massive amounts of TQ that 7 produces is unusable.

[Irishace]

When you guys take your cars in for maintenance (scheduled oil changes, etc.) will you pop out the vent in throw the original back in or just leave in the guage?

Again awesome product Rick.

[jtsherri]

Originally Posted by Irishace

When you guys take your cars in for maintenance (scheduled oil changes, etc.) will you pop out the vent in throw the original back in or just leave in the guage?

Again awesome product Rick.

Unless you've decided NOT to order the Plug 'n' Play harness (which prevents you from having to tap any wires), the gauge really doesn't interfere with anything that would give them reason to void any warranty coverage (outside of maybe the vent itself?).

I've actually taken my car in with a "Service Engine Soon" light (from a malfunctioning O2 sim), every mod listed in my "BMW Garage" installed AND drag racing numbers written on my rear window in shoe polish for an oil change and didn't get any hassle.

I was VERY specific in telling the service manager that I didn't want any codes read, nor any other recommended service done while the car was in. He assured me that ONLY the oil would be changed and I got her back with no hassle... They even washed the car (along with the shoe polish numbers) for me.

Keep in mind that the dealer's first and foremost responsibility is to keep the customer happy... NOT void warranties. They generally only do this if they have no other choice OR they're just out to be dickheads. Find yourself a dealership that's focused on customer service and you generally won't have any issues.

[jtsherri]

Here's a video I shot of the start-up sequence and a couple of quick revs. I didn't originally post it because I'm not happy with the quality that the digital camera produced... But whatever, it works.

[JasonCSU]

Very cool. I've been looking forward to this.

[romak47]

how exactly does this plug into a JB3 for example? Is it hard to wire that portion up?
And where is power tapped off of?

LOL.

[jtsherri]

Originally Posted by romak47

how exactly does this plug into a JB3 for example? Is it hard to wire that portion up?
And where is power tapped off of?

LOL.

Look at the picture of the wires that I posted. In the bottom-right corner of the picture, you can see the single wire that runs to the JB3. It's quick and easy to run it over to the unit while running the hose through the firewall.

Power is run from the center console, where the Aux-in and USB connector is (you can see more details in the link to the directions that I posted).

[MastaMind]

I finally had time to install mine yesterday. Everything went smoothly, but it definitely took me longer than an hour. This is due in no small part to my own ineptness with interior panels and general paranoia of scratching pieces.

Fit and finish is at least OEM quality and justifies the price. The interface is easy to comprehend and setting changes are intuitive. I really appreciated having the gauge already installed in a new vent assembly, even though that was the part I was looking forward to the most.

I'd love to tell you how it performs, but when I opened the garage, I saw this:

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by MastaMind

I finally had time to install mine yesterday. Everything went smoothly, but it definitely took me longer than an hour. This is due in no small part to my own ineptness with interior panels and general paranoia of scratching pieces.

Fit and finish is at least OEM quality and justifies the price. The interface is easy to comprehend and setting changes are intuitive. I really appreciated having the gauge already installed in a new vent assembly, even though that was the part I was looking forward to the most.

I'd love to tell you how it performs, but when I opened the garage, I saw this:

Brother I feel your pain!

[atr_hugo]

What do we want?
GLOBAL WARMING!
When do we want it?
NOW!!! ; -)